“Civil War” is a series that debuted on TV screens in 1965 and quickly won the hearts of viewers. The production was based on the columns of Maria Zientarowska (Mira Michałowska), published in “Przekrój”. The story about the adventures of two Warsaw families – the Kamiński and Jankowski families – was full of humor, warmth and an ironic look at everyday life in the Polish People’s Republic. This series not only entertained, but also exposed the absurdities of those times. It was this last aspect that attracted the attention of the communist authorities, and especially Władysław Gomułka himself.
Gomułka versus “Civil War”
Gomułka, then first secretary of the Central Committee of the Polish United Workers’ Party, was known for his conservatism and aversion to all forms of entertainment that could undermine the authority of the government. “Civil War” was for him a symbol of the demoralization of young people and a too casual approach to life. The series, despite its enormous popularity, quickly found itself in the crosshairs of censors.
Censorship of “Civil War”
The Polish People’s Republic censors eagerly searched subsequent episodes of the series, looking for an excuse that could justify its removal from the air. They looked for every possible reason to end production, but for a long time they could not find anything that could constitute a serious enough violation. Eventually, however, they found what seemed to be the perfect excuse – a dog and a newspaper.
for which the series was taken off the air, there was a scene in which Alina Janowska teaches the dog to poop on the newspaper. Coincidentally, it was the “Kultura” newspaper, of which he was the editor-in-chief Janusz Wilhelmi, leading party ideologist of the time. The authorities found such a scene unacceptable and demoralizing young people
Consequences for creators
The decision to remove “Civil War” from the air was a blow to the creators of the series, including screenwriter Janina Czarnecka and director Jerzy Gruza. For many viewers, it was also a sad moment because the series managed to become a part of the cultural landscape of those years. Although the production was completed, its impact on Polish television and culture could not be overestimated.
The show’s legacy
broadcast, “Civil War” left a lasting mark on the history of Polish television. This series is still remembered and watched, and its humor and message remain relevant. The adventures of Anula and Paweł and their parents are remembered with sentiment, and the texts are like: “Is there dry bread for a horse?” have permanently entered everyday language and even many years after the end of the series, others refer to them in their productions – for example, in the Polish dubbing of the second part of “Shrek” from 2004.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
